Lifestyle towns where houses cost half the price in Byron Bay
Can’t afford Byron Bay? There are still lifestyle towns, on the coast and inland, with a median house price coming in under $1 million.
Byron Bay property prices have eased from their eye-watering peak, but for the average sea-changer, the coveted coastal town remains a pipedream, with a median house price of $1,847,000, on Domain data.
For buyers on a budget, there are other towns that still offer lifestyle payoff for less, whether you’re looking for a tree or sea change or buying a holiday home.
Byron Bay property prices have eased from their peak, but are still unreachable for many.Credit: Danielle Smith
Yamba: Coastal chic and capped supply
Yamba, at the mouth of the Clarence River, had a median house price of $880,000 at the end of September – much cheaper than Byron Bay which is about two hours north.
Thanks to the town being geographically locked, the population can’t grow beyond a certain number. This natural cap has long been one of Yamba’s quiet strengths, says Grant Gillies of Lifestyle Yamba.
With a population of about 6000, Yamba boasts unspoiled beaches and sheltered river swims.Credit: iStock
“It’s still very family oriented here,” he said. “We get the holidaymakers at Christmas and Easter, but outside of that it remains relatively unspoiled.”
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With a population of about 6000, Yamba has unspoiled beaches, sheltered river swims, open surf breaks, fishing, a golf course and a growing food scene.
But Gillies said the price gap between Yamba and Byron Bay was the feature that turned heads, with prestige waterfront homes in Yamba rarely fetching beyond $3 million. In Byron, he said that figure would be closer to $12 million.
**Agnes Water: The Byron Bay of 20 years ago
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North of Brisbane, Agnes Water is known as the last surf beach before the Great Barrier Reef.
The town’s top surf breaks and barefoot vibes have attracted high-profile buyers over the years, including renowned winemaker Brian Croser and Rip Curl co-founder Doug Warbrick.
